An In-Home Family Portrait Session

Some of the happiest times a family will experience together are when babies come into this world. I’m fortunate to live in my hometown, which allows me to be near much of my extended family. This means when it’s time to celebrate the holidays, milestones like graduations, and the arrival of new family members, I’m able to document those moments with my camera.

Documenting memories for my own family was how I began my photography journey. Although I don’t take my camera to every single gathering, I almost always have batteries charged and ready to go. The day my newest cousin, Henry, made his entrance into this world, I headed down to the hospital with the rest of my family, camera in tow. There is something so special about gathering to welcome new life into this world. And we had a bit of a wait for Henry!

The wait at the hospital always seems long until that moment comes when you get the news that the baby has arrived. Then, it suddenly seems as if you haven’t been there that long. Everyone gets lost in the excitement of seeing the baby for the first time. With Henry, we were all taken with his cubby cheeks and his head full of hair! It was all we could talk about while I documented the moments of everyone meeting him for the first time.

I don’t often photograph newborns, but I of course fit a lifestyle family session for my sweet cousin into my summer schedule. Thankfully, Henry didn’t arrive during busy wedding season! I love photographing newborn family sessions in the home because that makes them so personal. Henry’s parents put together the sweetest nursery for him! Check out their maternity session post for those details!

I told Alex and Taylor (Henry’s parents and also my cousin and cousin-in-law), not to stress if Henry didn’t sleep well during his session. This is the beauty of lifestyle portraits! They’re less about squishy poses and more about relaxed photos. Well, to my surprise, Henry slept so well through the entire session that we were able to get plenty of family shots and a few lightly posed portraits. I just can’t stop smiling when I look at these photos. Little Henry has certainly brought a lot of joy to his whole family! Enjoy this preview of his first official portrait session!

Alex and Taylor’s first “baby” was their fur baby, Bear. Bear wasn’t at our shoot, but I love this sweet little toy that looks so much like the real-life Bear. I just know that Bear and Henry are going to be besties. I look forward to when Henry is old enough for a portrait with him!

This is Henry just getting comfortable. He was in a deep sleep most of the shoot, but at one point he curled up in this pose on his own and I just loved capturing his expression!

Taylor plans to take monthly photos in this rocker, so we made sure to use it for a few photos.

Henry says this photo thing his hard work! Is there anything sweeter than a newborn yawn?!

Of course I had to grab a photo with Henry at the end of the shoot!

Even after all the photos, he was still fast asleep!